It’s Monday morning and today it’s even harder than usual to get out of bed, since the American inventor and politician Benjamin Franklin decided that we should save some daylight back in 1784 and came up with the brilliant idea of clocks going back and forward. In other words, the clocks went forward one hour on Sunday and an hour of our lives are gone until October, when we turn the clocks back again. I guess the good news are that the winter officially is over and the evenings are lighter. Bad news are a dark Monday morning and one hour less sleep. But let’s perk things up with some brilliant Swedish expressions:<\/p>\n
L\u00e4gg p\u00e5 en rem<\/strong> P\u00e5 n\u00e5got v\u00e4nster<\/strong> Rund under f\u00f6tterna<\/strong> Svennebanan<\/strong> http:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=Rwn0hQQPmaY<\/a><\/p>\n Great suggestion from reader Ethan:<\/p>\n Klart som korvspad<\/strong> And this week’s “most difficult to explain”-expression, thank you very much for that one, Sophie!<\/p>\n Jag \u00e4r inte den som \u00e4r den<\/strong> Klart som korvspad, isn’t it?<\/p>\n
\nMeaning: Hurry up
\nLiterally meaning: Something like “Add a strap”. This expression derives from back in the days, when the old factory machines where run by straps. When you wanted to speed things up, you added a strap. If anyone has a better explanation or translation for rem\/strap – please help me out!
\nExample: L\u00e4gg p\u00e5 en rem, bussen g\u00e5r om fem minuter! (Hurry up, the bus leaves in five minutes!)<\/p>\n
\nMeaning: In one way or another
\nLiterally meaning: Something like “On something left”, left as in the direction and it doesn’t make any sense at all, I know.
\nExample: P\u00e5 n\u00e5got v\u00e4nster ska vi lyckas (In one way or another, we’ll succeed)<\/p>\n
\nMeaning: To be drunk
\nLiterally meaning: To be round under your feet, no need to explain that one any further, is it?
\nExample: Kalle var verkligen rund under f\u00f6tterna i L\u00f6rdags! (Kalle was really drunk last Saturday!)<\/p>\n
\nMeaning: Something or someone who is very Swedish, but in a slightly looked down-upon way.
\nLiterally meaning: Swede-banana. A “svenne” is a Swede who is considered average, boring and safe. Where the banana comes from is a mystery, I guess it just sounds fun. Anyone who knows?
\nExample: I will let the Swedish rapper Promoe explain this one. Last summer, everyone in Sweden was singing along to the his massive hit “Svennebanan”. The video shows a typical Swedish bachelor party, taking place on a booze-cruise to Finland – something considered extremely svennebanan!<\/p>\n
\nMeaning: When something \u00a0is really obvious, no doubt what so ever
\nLiterally meaning: As clear as the left over water you get when boil sausages.
\nExample: Klart som korvspad att jag ska g\u00e5 p\u00e5 festen! (Of course I’ll go to the party!)<\/p>\n
\nMeaning: An expression you use when you can consider rethinking, if you for example are having an argument with someone and you decide to let the other person win.
\nLiterally meaning: Something like “I am not that person\u00a0who is that person”. Don’t ask me who all these persons are, I have no clue and it seems like noone else has either. Or do you?
\nExample: Okej, jag\u00a0\u00e4r inte den som \u00e4r den. Du vinner. (Okay, I can rethink. You win.)<\/p>\n